AYÉ (YORUBA) – A classical rendition by the Osetura, Oloye Awo, Hubert Adedeji Ogunde, the renowned composer, musical director, playwright, actor, and the father of modern-day Yoruba Theatre, from Ososa, Ogun State, Nigeria.
Ayee, ayee, aye o-o-o-o-o,
Aye d’oun a-i-ni-tumo o-o.
Ayee, ayee, aye o-o-o-o-o,
Jeje l’aye gba o-o-o.
Awon to n’wa o ko ri-o o, aye,
Awon to ri-o ko mo-oo.
Awon to n’wa o ko ri-o o, aye,
Awon to ri-o ko mo-oo.
Aye dudu bi aro,
Aye pupa bi eje oo,
Aye gbo’na o j’aje,
Aye tutu bi yinyin.
Aye funfun ni t’emi,
Olorun, Olugbohun, gbohun mi oo;
Aye ero ni t’emi,
Olorun Olugbohun gbohun mi oo.
Ayee, ayee, aye o-o-o-o-o,
Aye doun a-i-ni-tumo o-o,
Ayee, ayee, aye o-o-o-o-o,
Jeje l’aye gba o-o-o.
Ara mi, e je a maa fu’ra,
E j’ara ma fu-ni, ifu’ra loogun agba o;
Ifura loogun agba.
Ara mi, e je a maa fu’ra,
E j’ara ma fu-ni, ifu’ra loogun agba o.
Ile o fu’ra, ile jo’na,
Agbon o fu’ra, ko l’oyin,
Obo o fu’ra, ko d’eniyan,
Agba ti o fu’ra; ti o m’Osa,
Ko w’oju Olorun wo,
Ko mo’pe ara ile eni nii se’ni.
Ayee, ayee, aye o-o-o-o-o,
E ma b’ayo mi je o-o-o.
REFRAIN:
Aye o-o-o, aye o-o-o,
Aye d’oun a-i-ni-tumo, aye o-o-o,
Aye o-o-o, aye o-o-o,
Jeje l’aye gba o-o-o.
Awon to n’wa o ko ri-o,
Awon to ri-o ko mo-oo.
Awon to n’wa o ko ri-o,
Awon to ri-o ko mo-oo.
Aye dudu bi aro,
Aye pupa bi eje oo,
Aye funfun ni t’emi,
Olorun Olugbohun gbohun mi oo;
Aye ero ni t’emi,
Olorun Olugbohun gbohun mi oo.
Aye o-o! Menu kuro l’oro mi,
E je ki ngb’eru mi d’ori;
Gb’ese kuro l’ona mi,
(Continued……………………………….)
(ENGLISH TRANSLATION BY DELE AJAJA)
NOTE: The Yoruba word, ‘aye,’ used in this song simply means the ‘world.’ It could also mean ‘diabolical humans.’ l chose the former, because the latter sounds indicting.
The world, world, world,
The world has become a meaningless subject.
The world, world, world,
The world has become a meaningless subject.
Those who are searching for you can’t find you, world,
Those who find you don’t recognize you.
Those who are searching for you can’t find you, world,
Those who find you don’t recognize you.
The world is dim like the blue-dye,
The world is red like blood,
The world is hotter than the drying-pot,
The world is cold like ice.
My own world is transparent,
God, the hearer, hear my voice;
My own world is tranquil,
God, the hearer, hear my voice.
The world, world, world,
The world has become a meaningless subject,
The world, world, world,
The world requires patience.
Fellows, let us be cautious,
Let’s be cautious; caution is the sage’s remedy;
Caution is the sage’s remedy.
Fellows, let us be cautious,
Let’s be cautious; caution is the sage’s remedy.
The house was not cautious, it got burnt,
The hornet wasn’t cautious, and lacked honey,
The monkey wasn’t cautious, and didn’t become human,
The elder who is not cautious; who hasn’t been to the lagoon,
Should look up at the sky,
And realize that one is injured by his own family.
The world, world, world,
Do not ruin my joy.
REFRAIN:
The world, world, world,
The world has become a meaningless subject – the world
The world, world, world,
The world requires patience.
Those who are searching for you can’t find you, world,
Those who find you don’t recognize you.
Those who are searching for you can’t find you, world,
Those who find you don’t recognize you.
The world is dim like the blue-dye,
The world is red like blood,
My own world is transparent,
God, the hearer, hear my voice.
My own world is tranquil,
God, the hearer, hear my voice.
The world! Stop blathering about me,
Permit me to lift my baggage to my head;
Remove your foot from my path,
(Continued……………………………….)
IMAGE: The late Chief Hubert Adedeji Ogunde – father of modern-day Yoruba Theatre.
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